Ceremonial font



(5- MACARE CEREMONIAL FONT Dec. 27, 1966 Filed Oct. 21, 1964 PIC-3.3

FIG.5

United States Patent 3,294,288 CEREMONIAL FONT Gabriel Macare, 389 1st Ave., West Haven, Conn. 06516 Filed Oct. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 405,422. 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-78) This invention relates to a particular type of dispensing container for the use of liquid dispensation, which container is of such size and design that it may be easily transported, moved, dropped, or placed in a variety of places or positions without impairing the useability thereof, and which will give reliable action in dispensing the contained liquid in a particularly useful manner.

More particularly, the device or article of manufacture herein described constitutes a portable and easily mountable container, essentially spill-proof, built of generally plastic material for easy compressibility by a persons finger or the like so as to dispense a small stream of liquid to the finger or object applied to a central area orifice of said device.

In the field of religious obeisance and ceremony, for example, there is often used a liquid of deep religious significance commonly called holy water, which is used in conjunction with prayers and blessings, and which constitutes an important part of the individuals personal religious ritual. Rarely is the individual able to make use of this liquid of deep religious significance, except where a font of holy water is provided, as in a church, religious sanctuary, or similar location. Just as many a person finds solace and comfort in carrying his cross, rosary, Bible, medal, or holy statue, many an individual feels the need of the blessing of holy water when outside of the church, whether he be in his automobile, his home, at work, or in a dangerous environment.

The object of the article of manufacture hereinafter described has as its purpose the fulfillment of the need to have available a supply of the liquid of religious significance for the individual person whosoever he may be or wheresoever he may go; on plane, train, automobile, in a handbag, at home, in the bedroom, on a night table, in a garden, on a work table, or in a font-less sanctuary.

An object of my invention resides in the safe containmerit of liquids of religious or ceremonial significance which can be moved safely and conveniently, or stored, or transported and placed without danger of leakage or spillage in automobiles and in the home, such as in bedrooms or other areas where religious obeisance or ceremonial activity may be desired by an individual.

A further object of my device resides in the ease and simplicity of operation for the acquirement of a small quantity of said contained liquid for the purpose of blessing ones self, ones activities, ones personal articles, and other people in the vicinity.

Another object of my article of manufacture is to provide a supply of holy water or other religious liquid to supplement the individuals other religious articles, such as his cross, his rosary, and so on, in the performance of his religious duties and obligations.

Another object of my device is the provision of an easily transportable and easily mountable dispensing container which is not subject to breakage or easy spillage, yet is ready to use at all times for devotional purposes, and yet which is so simple and inexpensive that it may be acquired by any individual of the most humble means.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description of one preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the ceremonial font showing the overall features of the device.

FIG. 2 is a top or plan view illustrating the features 3,294,288 Patented Dec. 27, 1966 ice particular to the uppermost area, especially illustrating the feature of form which may be applied to the font to emphasize the aesthetic and religious nature of the article, and which combines a decorative effect with the utility of serving as an air chamber as will be later described.

FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional view 11 illustrating the internal and external features involved.

FIG. 4 shows the cross-section 22 illustrating another viewpoint of the internal and external features.

FIG. 5 shows the underside or bottom view, particularly showing an embodiment of the mounting means.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the article of manufacture may be a substantially cylindrically shaped container tapering slightly inward from the lowermost portion toward the uppermost portion.

The general aspect is that of a flat stable structure, though other shapes are equally feasible. The top face of the device is composed of a basically arcuate surface or sump l0 tape-red inwardly downward toward the central portion in which a dispensing capillary orifice 11 has been situated. Located around the top circumference is a peripheral annular-shaped extension 12 which serves as an air chamber. Around the dispensing capillary orifice 11 there is provided a quasi-annular shaped extension 13 which is radially segmented by channels of which 14 is one representation. One of these extensional segments is provided with a pressure vent orifice 15, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Both annular extensions 12 and 13 are connected by radial air chamber extensions 16 providing a common air passage and religious symbolism in the form of a cross in the arrangement of said radial air chamber extensions 16.

The article of manufacture is composed of a liquid containing Vessel or reservoir 17 made of shape-holding, yet plastically deformable material. The body material is of a resilient type which returns to its original form after deformation. The manufacture of such type plastic vessels is well known in the plastics manufacture art. The peripheral annular extension 12, the central segmented annular extension 13, and the cross members as illustrated by 16 provide a stiffening and structural effect to the body of the reservoir.

A well cavity 18 may be provided in the underside of the body of the reservoir for the easy attachment of mounting means for said dispenser. FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of one type, whereby a magnet 19 is compressibly fitted into the elliptically shaped well cavity 18, wherein it is retained by the restraining effects of the plastic deformation of the side walls, or alternately by some suitable cement.

The topmost portion of the article shown in FIG. 2 presents an external peripheral extension 12 around the outer top circumference. The central portion of the top area has a dispensing capillary orifice 11 around which I build a segmented quasi-annular extension 13. This annular extension is divided into segments by means of channels such as 14 which will permit any liquid in the sump 10 to drain back into the central dispensing capillary orifice 11 due to the inverted arcuate arrangement of said sump 10. Peripheral extension 12 and crossmembers 16, which may also be part of the symbolic and decorative effect, provide an upper air chamber for air storage above the surface of the liquid of religious significance, the cooperating effect of which will be later described. The cross-members 16 are designed so as to provide communication between annular extension 12 and the pressure vent orifice 15. The pressure vent orifice 15 is essential to a variety of operations for this article of manufacture in that it must be sealed with the finger in order for the dispensation of holy Water to take place, and in addition, its normally open venting action 3 prevents the unintentional ejection of the liquid contents, plus pressure equalization should the font be subjected to heated expansion, the effects which may occur in a passenger vehicle, or as subject to changing external pressures of airplane travel or mountain climbing, or in elevators of large buildings, or while traveling in mines underground.

The device is designed for normal operation by specifically placing the finger over the centrally segmented annular extension 13 in such a manner as to seal the pressure vent orifice 15, and then pressing downward with a slight pressure. With the sealing of the pressure vent orifice 15 by the finger, the downward pressure decreases the air chamber volume within the reservoir 17, thereby increasing the internal air pressure until a discrete amount of holy water is forced into the opening 20 of the capillary tube 21, whereby a small quantity of liquid will be ejected through orifice 11 upon the finger, after which the appropriate blessings and ceremony may be elfectuated by the user.

Should an excess of liquid be ejected, such excess liquid will settle in the sump 10, and by gravitational force move through channels such as 14 to the dispensing capillary orifice 11, and can be made to drain back into the reservoir 17 by the slight finger-deformation of the sides of the body of said reservoir 17, care being taken not to cover the pressure vent orifice 15 in this instance Release of the pressure upon the body of the reservoir 17, while maintaining closure of the pressure vent orifice 15, will draw said excess liquid back into the reservoir through the capillary orifice 11.

In the situation where a portion of the containing vessel is compressed or deformed unintentionally due to accident or impact, without the finger being on the pressure vent orifice 15, such pressure or impact will merely eject air through said orifice 15, and not the internal liquid. Pressure vent orifice 15 in conjunction with air chamber sections 12 and 13 provide an air interface for this situation, so that no internal pressure will be developed to eject the internal liquid. However, when the finger is intentionally and properly situated over the central annular extension 13 so as to seal orifice 15, then in such case there can be no escape of internal air, and the finger pressure on the central annulus 13 will cause the proper ejection of the internal liquid upon the finger through the capillary orifice 11. A capillary tube 21 is provided for communication between the lowermost portion of the vessel-container 17 and the dispensing capillary orifice 11. The upper internal portion of the capillary tubing 21 may be provided with a throat of varying constriction to allow any particularly desired effect for the jet ejection of the internal liquid, ranging in effect from a fine stream to a mist.

In regard to the filling of the portable ceremonial font, a variety of means may be used. The simplest way is to squeeze or compress the body 17 of the vessel by pressure against the top and bottom surfaces so as to evacuate the greater portion of internal air. Then, by submerging the vessel into a supply of holy water and releasing the pressure on the body 17, while keeping the vent orifice 15 and capillary orifice 11 below the surface of the holy water, said holy water will enter the container-vessel 17 through orifices 11 and 15 until the body 17 regains its original shape, after which it may be removed from said water supply.

Another method of filling the font would be to dip the font into the holy water so that the sump area 10 is filled, after which one would depress the sides of the body 17 with thumb and third finger, then cover the vent orifice 15 with the index finger, and then release the side pressure of the thumb and third finger, slowly allowing the capillary orifice 11 to suck or draw in the liquid.

FIGS. 3 and show the well cavity 18 which can be provided elliptically shaped for the easy attachment of a suitable commercially available circular-type magnet which will seat tightly against the sides of the ellipse walls parallel somewhat to its major axis. The magnet 19 can be positioned in place or removed by deformation of the bottom side of the body 17 in the area of the well cavity 18 by forcing said magnet into place. Other types of mounting devices may also be used, such as a large headed-tack or other desirable mounting structures. The embodiment shown, using the magnet, is particularly appropriate for attachment to dashboards of passenger carrying vehicles, most of which have a ferromagnetic base structure. It is also to be appreciated that in many applications, such as in the home or religious sanctuary, neither a magnet or tack is necessarily required; the font being placed on some flat stationary surface, such as a table or altar. I I

It should be noted that the article of manufacture is designed with the object of easy portability so that it can be easily carried on trips in vehicles, on the' .person of the individual, on air flights, to sports events, picnics, and other activities so that religious obeisance and ceremonies and fortuitous blessings may be effected for the peace of mind, devotional inspiration, and religious obligation as may be required by the vagaries of circumstance. These may vary from the battlefield to the family reunion, but the portability and presence of religious beneficence is made to be ever available.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable ceremonial font, a shape-holding yet plastically deformable liquid reservoir, comprising a top peripheral annular extension and a top segmented annular extension, a central liquid dispensing orifice within the base of said segmented annular extension, an air chamber with a pressure vent orifice located proximate to the central dispensing orifice, said air chamber maintaining communication between said pressure vent orifice and the inner chamber of the top peripheral annular extension, a capillary tube communicating from said liquid dispensing orifice to the inside bottom of said reservoir, and mounting or holding means for said reservoir.

2. In a portable ceremonial font reservoir, a plastically deformable yet shape-holding containing means comprising a top air chamber extension, a top centrally located segmented annular extension of approximate cross-sectional area to the human finger tip, by-pass channels in said segmented annular extension for liquid passage, a central liquid dispensing orifice within the base of said segmented annular extension, a pressure vent orifice in said top air chamber extension, said pressure vent orifice located proximate to said dispensing orifice, a capillary tube communicating from said dispensing orifice to the inside bottom of said reservoir.

3. In a portable ceremonial font reservoir as in claim 2, including means for mounting or holding said reservoir.

4. In a portable ceremonial font reservoir as in claim 2, including magnetic means for holding said reservoir to a ferrometallic base.

5. In a portable ceremonial font reservoir as in claim 2, including a magnetic base material.

6. In a portable ceremonial font reservoir for magnetic attachment to a dashboard or structure of a passenger-carrying vehicle, a shape-holding yet plastically deformable container comprising a peripherally annular top extension, a top central segmented annular extension, a dispensing capillary orifice in the base of said central annular extension, a sump area concavely arcuate with its lowermost portion coincident with said dispensing capillary orifice, an air chamber with pressure vent orifice situated nearby, said dispensing orifice and said pressure vent orifice in communication With said peripheral annulus, internal communication means between said dispensing capillary orifice and the internal bottom area of said reservoir, and attachment means for said reservoir to a structure of a passenger-carrying vehicle.

7. In a portable ceremonial font reservoir, a shapeholding plastically deformable liquid reservoir comprising a top air chamber extension composed of a top peripheral annulus, a central segmented annulus, and connecting cross members communicating with said top peripheral annulus and said central segmented annulus, a belqw top-level sump Whose lowermost portion is coincident with a dispensing capillary orifice, means for digital ejection of internal liquid comprising a finger-sealable {lent orifice, central annulus, dispensing orifice and capillary tube communicating to the internal bottom area of said reservoir, means for spillage prevention comprising a vent orifice, air chamber, and capillary tubing communicating from said dispensing orifice to the bottom area of said reservoir, and means of releasably attaching said reservoir to a stable base structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 155,321 9/1874 Lehr 222211 2,217,514 10/1940 Henry 222173 X 2,752,069 6/ 1956 Welsh 222-207 2,822,958 2/ 1958 Merldey 222205 2,986,307 5/ 1961 Hillebrand 222-205 X 3,094,253 6/ 1963 Hvistendahl 222363 X FOREIGN PATENTS 935,485 8/1963 Great Britain.

ROBERT E. REEVES, Primary Examiner. CHARLES R. CARTER, Examiner.

20 K. N. LEIMER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A PORTABLE CEREMONIAL FONT, A SHAPE-HOLDING YET PLASTICALLY DEFORMABLE LIQUID RESERVOIR, COMPRISING A TOP PERIPHERAL ANNULAR EXTENSION AND A TOP SEGMENTED ANNULAR EXTENSION, A CENTRAL LIQUID DISPENSING ORIFICE WITHIN THE BASE OF SAID SEGMENTED ANNULAR EXTENSION, AN AIR CHAMBER WITH A PRESSURE VENT ORIFICE LOCATED PROXIMATE TO THE CENTRAL DISPENSING ORIFICE, SAID AIR CHAMBER MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID PRESSURE VENT ORIFICE AND THE INNER CHAMBER OF THE TOP PERIPHERAL ANNULAR EXTENSION, A CAPILLARY TUBE COMMUNICATING FROM SAID LIQUID DISPENSING ORIFICE TO THE INSIDE BOTTOM OF SAID RESERVOIR; AND MOUNTING OR HOLDING MEANS FOR SAID RESERVOIR. 